Maine Law Update January 2025
On January 1, 2025, the following changes to Maine employment law take effect and, unless otherwise noted, apply to employers of all sizes:
Minimum Wage
State The minimum wage in Maine will increase to $14.65/hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.33/hour. For an employer to take a tip credit, an employee must make more than $185 per month in tips—this minimum applies in Portland and Rockland as well.
The minimum salary threshold for exempt employees will be $845.21 per week ($43,951 annually).
Portland
The minimum wage in Portland will increase to $15.50 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.75 per hour.
Rockland
The minimum wage in Rockland for employers with 26 or more employees will increase to $15.38 per hour and the minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.69 per hour. Smaller employers can pay the state minimum wage and tipped employee base wage.
Paid Family & Medical Leave
The state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program payroll contributions begin January 1. Employers should post the required notice at each worksite in a conspicuous location in English (and any other primary language spoken by three or more employees in that workplace).
Employers should also be prepared to provide a written notice to each new employee within 30 days of hire date.
Action Items:
Post the notice and add it to new hire packets
Start withholding employee premiums from paychecks on January 1